Man mistakenly sends meth text to cop

LEWISTON, Idaho -- An Idaho man apparently trying to get the most bang for his drug-purchasing buck mistakenly sent a text message to a narcotics detective while he searched for people to join him in a methamphetamine buy.

Aaron D. Templeton of Lewiston was arrested this week and charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine.

A police detective received a text Wednesday morning asking if he knew anyone looking for drugs, and after determining it wasn't his co-workers playing a joke, arranged to meet the man named Aaron the same day to deliver $150 that would be pooled with money from other buyers to enable a bulk purchase of meth, officials said.

"It is common for dealers to try to get money fronted to them to get a better deal," said police Capt. Roger Lanier.

The detective, whom Lanier declined to identify, watched from a distance as two police officers pulled up behind Templeton's car at the designated meeting place.

Templeton then reportedly texted: "Well that's weird, a cop just pulled up on me so what's up with that."

Police recovered Templeton's cellphone, which they say included the text messages regarding the deal.

A woman who was with Templeton was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Templeton, 37, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 19, according to Nez Perce County court records. A spokeswoman in the prosecutor's office said Friday he does not yet have an attorney.

"It all started apparently from a wrong number," Lanier told the Lewiston Tribune. "I don't think he would have a narcotics detective in his contacts list."